Multifunctional case for portable electronic device

ABSTRACT

A multifunctional case includes a receiving member defining two parallel sliding grooves, and two supporting members. Each supporting member has a rail. In a first state, the supporting member and the receiving member cooperatively form a receiving space for receiving an electronic device. In a second state, each rail is slidably received in the sliding grooves causing the supporting members tilting the supporting member to support the electronic device.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The exemplary disclosure relates to cases for portable electronic devices, particularly, to a multifunction case for protecting and supporting portable electronic devices.

2. Description of Related Art

On one hand, cases are widely applied to protect portable electronic devices. On the another hand, users generally need a holder for supporting the portable electronic device to read an eBook or watch video. However, it can be difficult to carry the case and the holder at the same time. In many cases, the holder can be easily left behind after use.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the multifunctional case can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the multifunctional case.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a case according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the case of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an assembled view of the support device of FIG. 1 in a first state.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3, but an electronic device is received in the support device.

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4, but showing from another aspect.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 3, but showing the support device in a second state.

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged and cross sectional view of the support device of FIG. 6 along the line of VII-VII.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 3 show an exemplary embodiment of a multifunctional case 100. The case 100 includes a receiving member 10 and two supporting members 20. The receiving member 10 and the supporting members 20 cooperatively enclose a receiving space 40 for receiving an electronic device 200 like shown in FIG. 4. The supporting members 20 tilt the receiving member 10, supporting the electronic device 200 like shown in FIG. 6.

The receiving member 10 includes a main board 11 and a first sidewall 12 protruding from an edge of the main board 11. A first receiving groove 122 is defined in an inner surface of the first sidewall 12 surrounding the main board 11. Two cutouts 14 are defined at two opposite corners of the main board 11 so two first joint surfaces 142 are formed at said two opposite corners of the main board 11. Two sliding grooves 15 are defined in two sides of the main board 11 corresponding to the cutouts 14. The sliding grooves 15 are parallel to each other. A limiting block 151 is formed at one end of each sliding groove 15. In this exemplary embodiment, the limiting blocks 151 are formed at ends of the sliding grooves 15 away from the cutouts 14.

Each supporting member 20 includes a main body 21 and a second sidewall 22 protruding from an edge of the main body 21. Each main body 21 has a shape and a size complementary to one of the cutouts 14. A second receiving groove 222 (referring to FIG. 4) is defined in an inner surface of the second sidewall 22 surrounding the main body 21. Each supporting member 20 includes a second joint surface 211 facing and complementary to one of the first joint surfaces 142. A T-shaped rail 30 protrudes from an outer surface of the second sidewall 22. The rails 30 are slidably accommodated in the sliding grooves 15 so the supporting members 20 are slidably fixed to the receiving member 10 to adjustably tilt the receiving member 10.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, during enclosing the electronic device 200 in the case 100, the receiving member 10 is wrapped on one side of the electronic device 200 with portions of the electronic device 200 is received in the first receiving groove 122. The supporting members 20 are wrapped on the two opposite corners of the electronic device 200 with the opposite corners of the electronic device 200 are received in the second receiving grooves 222. At this time, the first joint surfaces 142 contact with the second joint surfaces 211 so the receiving member 10 and the supporting members 20 is located in a first state (shown in FIG. 3), to cooperatively form the receiving space 40, in which the electronic device 200 is received and protected by the case 100. To prevent the case 100 from falling off the electronic device 200, the electronic device 200 can be tightly received in the first receiving groove 122 and the second receiving grooves 222 by a tight engagement between the first receiving groove 122, the second receiving grooves 222 and the electronic device 200.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, to use the case 100 supporting the electronic device 200, the rails 30 enter into the sliding grooves 15 until the rails 30 slide to a predetermined stated, such as, from a second state (as shown in FIG. 6) wherein the supporting members 20 tilt the receiving member 10. The limiting blocks 151 limit the rails 30 making the supporting members 20 and the receiving member 10 firmly position in the second state. The electronic device 200 is inserted into the first receiving groove 122. Then, a user can make the rails 30 slide in the sliding grooves 15, causing the supporting members 20 sliding relative to the receiving member 10, to adjust the angle θ of the receiving member 10 relative to a supporting surface S until the electronic device 200 has a comfortable viewing angle.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structures and functions of various embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A multifunctional case, comprising: a receiving member defining two parallel sliding grooves; two supporting members, each supporting member having a rail; wherein in a first state, the supporting member and the receiving member cooperatively form a receiving space for receiving an electronic device; in a second state, each rail is slidably received in the sliding grooves causing the supporting members tilting relative to the receiving member to support the electronic device.
 2. The multifunctional case of claim 1, wherein the receiving member includes a main board and a first sidewall protruding from an edge of the main board; a first receiving groove is defined in an inner surface of the first sidewall surrounding the main board, the first receiving groove is for receiving the electronic device.
 3. The multifunctional case of claim 2, wherein two cutouts are defined at two opposite corners of the main board; each supporting member includes a main body and a second sidewall protruding from an edge of the main body, each main body has a shape and a size complementary to one of the cutouts.
 4. The multifunctional case of claim 3, wherein two first joint surfaces are formed at said two opposite corners of the main board, each supporting member includes a second joint surface facing and complementary to one of the first joint surfaces; each first joint surface contacts one of the second joint surfaces to form the receiving space when the case is in the first state.
 5. The multifunctional case of claim 4, wherein a second receiving groove is defined in an inner surface of the second sidewall surrounding the main body, the second receiving groove is for receiving the electronic device.
 6. The multifunctional case of claim 1, wherein a limiting block is formed at one end of each sliding groove to prevent the rail from sliding out of the sliding groove.
 7. A multifunctional case, comprising: a receiving member defining two parallel sliding grooves; two supporting members, each supporting member having a rail; wherein each rail is slidably received in the sliding grooves causing the supporting members sliding relative to the receiving member, to adjust an angle of the receiving member relative to a supporting surface.
 8. The multifunctional case of claim 7, wherein the receiving member includes a main board and a first sidewall protruding from an edge of the main board; a first receiving groove is defined in an inner surface of the first sidewall surrounding the main board, the first receiving groove is for receiving an electronic device.
 9. The multifunctional case of claim 8, wherein two cutouts are defined at two opposite corners of the main board; each supporting member includes a main body and a second sidewall protruding from an edge of the main body, each main body has a shape and a size complementary to one of the cutouts.
 10. The multifunctional case of claim 9, wherein two first joint surfaces are formed at said two opposite corners of the main board, each supporting member includes a second joint surface facing and complementary to one of the first joint surfaces; after the rails are removed from the sliding grooves, each first joint surface is capable of contacting one of the second joint surfaces to form a receiving space for receiving the electronic device.
 11. The multifunctional case of claim 10, wherein a second receiving groove is defined in an inner surface of the second sidewall surrounding the main body, the second receiving groove is for receiving the electronic device.
 12. The multifunctional case of claim 7, wherein a limiting block is formed at one end of each sliding groove to prevent the rail from sliding out of the sliding groove.
 13. A multifunctional case, comprising: a receiving member including a main board and a first sidewall protruding from an edge of the main board, a first receiving groove defined in an inner surface of the first sidewall surrounding the main board, the receiving member defining two cutouts at two opposite corners of the main board; two supporting members, each supporting member including a main body and a second sidewall protruding from an edge of the main body, each main body having a shape and a size complementary to one of the cutouts; wherein each supporting member is located in one of the cutouts so the receiving member and the supporting members cooperatively form a receiving space for receiving an electronic device .
 14. The multifunctional case of claim 13, wherein two first joint surfaces are formed at said two opposite corners of the main board, each supporting member includes a second joint surface facing and complementary to one of the first joint surfaces; each first joint surface contacts one of the second joint surfaces to form the receiving space.
 15. The multifunctional case of claim 13, wherein a first receiving groove is defined in an inner surface of the first sidewall surrounding the main board, the first receiving groove is for receiving the electronic device.
 16. The multifunctional case of claim 13, wherein a second receiving groove is defined in an inner surface of the second sidewall surrounding the main body, the second receiving groove is for receiving the electronic device. 